Gleick's history of humanity's growing awareness and understanding of information is detailed, interesting and possibly of use to us as we try to comeGleick's history of humanity's growing awareness and understanding of information is detailed, interesting and possibly of use to us as we try to come to grips with our now information rich society. ...more

At the close of this 550 page biography of Darwin's life up to age 49, I was disappointed that I would have too wait to read the second volume. You miAt the close of this 550 page biography of Darwin's life up to age 49, I was disappointed that I would have too wait to read the second volume. You might think that 200 pages on Darwin's early life is too much, but Browne reveals his early interest in nature and offers convincing evidence that Darwin was not the home-bound hypochondriac I at least imagined before reading this biography. We tend to focus too much on natural selection and evolution, and not enough on his studies of geology and taxonomy, not to mention Darwin's successful fossil-hunting in South America. Sound intriguing? It is! It's also very illuminating about how Darwin struggled to explain species variability and to accept evolution as a fact, and how he became a masterful politician in the scientific circles of his day....more

I gave this latest exploration of our planet's past, present and future by Richard Fortey three stars because it felt a bit programmatic, less spontanI gave this latest exploration of our planet's past, present and future by Richard Fortey three stars because it felt a bit programmatic, less spontaneous, than other of his books I have read. I am being unfair to Fortey, because like his other books, this one is well-written, almost poetry in some passages, and fascinating. He writes a kinder, gentler brief for evolution by focusing on species that seem from the fossil record to have survived unchanged for millions of years and discussing ways the current, living creatures both resemble and differ from their fossilized relatives. For example, I learned about as much as I want to about stromatolites and just enough to whet my curiosity about several kinds of plants and birds....more

An incredible book! Skloot somehow tells the story of Henrietta Lacks and her descendants along with the story of her interest in Henrietta Lacks andAn incredible book! Skloot somehow tells the story of Henrietta Lacks and her descendants along with the story of her interest in Henrietta Lacks and her involvement with her family and the story of the struggle for patients and research subjects to gain some control over their own body tissues. Since Lacks and her family are African-American, Skloot manages to explore racism in medicine as well. Her compassionate but objective portraits of Henrietta Lacks' children and their struggles are as interesting as the intertwined stories she tells....more

This is not a full biography, but rather one that attempts to explain, for non-physicists, just why Richard Feynman was and is one of the most importaThis is not a full biography, but rather one that attempts to explain, for non-physicists, just why Richard Feynman was and is one of the most important scientists of the twentieth century. Krauss succeeds admirably in assessing Feynman's importance and his outsize influence on physical science which has endured for several decades after his death. Krauss argues convincingly that Feynman's importance will continue to grow as our knowledge of physics grows. ...more

Rudy Rucker's fiction has always fascinated me, mostly for the way he plays with philosophical and scientific themes and questions, working them out aRudy Rucker's fiction has always fascinated me, mostly for the way he plays with philosophical and scientific themes and questions, working them out as the story proceeds, and for his evident fascination with and delight in this universe. In his memoir, he continues that practice with his usual verve, humor and frankness. ...more

Steven Pinker has written a very ambitious book exploring the decline of violence over human history and the possible reasons for that decline. Some oSteven Pinker has written a very ambitious book exploring the decline of violence over human history and the possible reasons for that decline. Some of his data sets seem to me too small for the weight he puts upon them, like the incidence of spanking to discipline children, but the evidence that violence is declining is very strong, and Pinker''s book is bringing that evidence to a broad public. I was more interested and more excited by his discussion of possible mechanisms for the decline in violence. This book is a long read, but well worth the time spent on it....more

Interesting essays, as always, about how science works, evolution and natural history. Reading these essays is a pleasure, tinged with regret that SteInteresting essays, as always, about how science works, evolution and natural history. Reading these essays is a pleasure, tinged with regret that Stephen Jay Gould is no longer writing them....more

Clear cogent argument in favor of keeping science and religion separate. Gould considers the peculiarly American phenomenon of creation science and biClear cogent argument in favor of keeping science and religion separate. Gould considers the peculiarly American phenomenon of creation science and biblical literalism in its historical and cultural context, correcting some popular myths about its history along the way. ...more

Eli Pariser offers not just a diagnosis of a problem but also some ideas for making a start at addressing it. I especially liked the suggestions for iEli Pariser offers not just a diagnosis of a problem but also some ideas for making a start at addressing it. I especially liked the suggestions for individuals he includes in his final chapter along with the suggestions for businesses and governments. This book will change the way you interact with Facebook, Google, and the internet as a whole....more

Moby-Duck is too long for my taste at almost 400 pages, but Hohn, a former teacher, clearly explains what we know about ocean currents and even how weMoby-Duck is too long for my taste at almost 400 pages, but Hohn, a former teacher, clearly explains what we know about ocean currents and even how we know it. In addition, his descriptions of such things as swimming in deep water off Hawaii and traveling on the Alaska ferry from Bellingham to Sitka are fun to read and evocative....more

Reading a 20 year old discussion of the lower Mississippi levees and the Atchafalaya flood basin as the crest of this year's flood slowly moved southReading a 20 year old discussion of the lower Mississippi levees and the Atchafalaya flood basin as the crest of this year's flood slowly moved south along the Mississippi gave the first essay in this collection an eerie relevance. McPhee's second essay, about lava flows and eruptions in Iceland and Hawaii, also caught my attention, since we live in sight of Mt. Baker, an active volcano. The final essay explores erosion, ecology and Los Angeles. Very interesting reading....more

Flip through this book first--notice the large, detailed graphics of what dinosaurs may have looked like--the ruffs and crests of feathers, the heavyFlip through this book first--notice the large, detailed graphics of what dinosaurs may have looked like--the ruffs and crests of feathers, the heavy bodies, the wealth of predators and prey, each filling a different niche. Then, go through it slowly, savoring the brief summaries of the state of the world in the different eras of dinosaur time, also illustrated and noting the little details accompanying each glossy picture of a dinosaur: I particularly liked the small graphic comparison of dinosaur size to human size. ...more

I really like Mary Roach's humorous perspectives on science, but at times the poop and fart jokes in this one seemed a bit much. Worth reading becauseI really like Mary Roach's humorous perspectives on science, but at times the poop and fart jokes in this one seemed a bit much. Worth reading because, like all her previous books, this one is loaded with interesting information. It ends with a surprising, sincere and persuasive argument for boldly going where no human has gone before....more

This book is chock-full of interesting findings about our brain's chemistry and "wiring", interesting survey results, and in two final chapters, a basThis book is chock-full of interesting findings about our brain's chemistry and "wiring", interesting survey results, and in two final chapters, a basket of techniques for improving one's mood, dealing with anger, increasing empathy, and other good goals. The title is provocative, and so is the content....more

This book answered, in broad outline, many of my questions about birds and their activities. It went on to answer some I had not thought to ask. I enjThis book answered, in broad outline, many of my questions about birds and their activities. It went on to answer some I had not thought to ask. I enjoyed this history of the study of birds, from Aristotle to today, all through the lens of the work of a late seventeenth century pioneer who anticipated many of the questions that later students of birds worked to answer. The illustrations are beautiful and relevant. ...more

After reading Tattersall's short book of essays, I want to read more of him. He makes a good deal of sense in what he says, so much so that a single eAfter reading Tattersall's short book of essays, I want to read more of him. He makes a good deal of sense in what he says, so much so that a single essay has me rethinking my acceptance of much of what "evolutionary psychology" claims about human behavior....more

Lanier is not only an innovator, he ponders deep questions. This is simply the most satisfying critique of the current shape of the digital revolutionLanier is not only an innovator, he ponders deep questions. This is simply the most satisfying critique of the current shape of the digital revolution that I have encountered. Lanier makes a case for reconsidering the conventional wisdom about open source software, the future of digital culture, and much more. His basic assumption that human beings as individuals have dignity and worth in themselves doesn;t sound revolutionary until one explores the limitations of Facebook, Wikipedia and similar phenomena. ...more

Professor Gott starts with the familiar paradox of a time traveler going back and killing a grandparent, adds Einstein's general theory of relativity,Professor Gott starts with the familiar paradox of a time traveler going back and killing a grandparent, adds Einstein's general theory of relativity, and walks the reader through much of current physics theory while seeking ways time travel might be permitted. Along the way, he manages to use almost no mathematics through a set of simple, expressive diagrams. An excellent popular science book!...more

I knew Paul Dirac was one of the founders of quantum physics, but I did not know he predicted anti-matter and suggested string theory in the 1930s. VeI knew Paul Dirac was one of the founders of quantum physics, but I did not know he predicted anti-matter and suggested string theory in the 1930s. Very interesting biography of a very interesting man....more

This is one of the most interesting non-fiction books I have read in a long while. Kinder profiles a very unusual, creative mind, that of the engineerThis is one of the most interesting non-fiction books I have read in a long while. Kinder profiles a very unusual, creative mind, that of the engineer who assembled and led a team which revolutionized deep sea studies, and deep water search and recovery technology and law, while locating and retrieving from deep underwater a horde of gold and artifacts from a vessel which sunk off Cape Hatteras in 1857. ...more

Reading another H.G. Wells novel I first read decades ago was like reading it for the first time. All the film versions, the Orson Welles radio theateReading another H.G. Wells novel I first read decades ago was like reading it for the first time. All the film versions, the Orson Welles radio theater, and the derivatives, do not detract from Wells's story. He manages the trick of describing an alien invasion, an event of worldwide importance, from the point of view of an anonymous observer who happens to witness the first landing. The science is out-dated--no radios or computers, for example, but the story left me with a sense Wells himself must have had of the fragility and promise of human life....more

An interesting review of the science of achievement, but somehow Shenk did not satisfy me--maybe because I have a read a lot in this area, but still aAn interesting review of the science of achievement, but somehow Shenk did not satisfy me--maybe because I have a read a lot in this area, but still a good read. I am puzzling over the ratio of text to notes, since there are more pages of notes than of the text. Kind of interesting way to write a book. Some of the notes are about what you would expect, just sourcing things he says or quotes in the text, but others offer more information or tell stories. Kind of a non-fiction "Pale Fire" about the science of achievement, perhaps. ...more

Very readable account of the science of brain plasticity and its applications in therapies for people who have suffered strokes, brain traumas, addictVery readable account of the science of brain plasticity and its applications in therapies for people who have suffered strokes, brain traumas, addictions and old age. The appendix on "The culturally Modified Brain" is merely one high point in a brief book full of fascinating facts, insights and reflections. ...more

Another thoughtful, lyric, speculative novel from Kim Stanley Robinson; part biography, part history of science, part speculative fiction, all hard-heAnother thoughtful, lyric, speculative novel from Kim Stanley Robinson; part biography, part history of science, part speculative fiction, all hard-headed and real but also optimistic. ...more

I learned more about nuclear weapons reading these 220 pages than I did as a member of the national security community for 25 years. Younger lucidly lI learned more about nuclear weapons reading these 220 pages than I did as a member of the national security community for 25 years. Younger lucidly lays out the history of nuclear weapons, the technological issues involved in maintaining them and in verifying arms control agreements, and describes the rationale behind such strategies as MAD and counter-value plans. I checked this book out of my local library, but I just ordered a copy, it is worth having....more

Neal Sheehan ties the history of the Cold War to his biography of the Air Force officer in charge of developing the ICBM. As biography, it didn't realNeal Sheehan ties the history of the Cold War to his biography of the Air Force officer in charge of developing the ICBM. As biography, it didn't really work for me but as history, this is a great survey of the Cold War, its causes and consequences. I especially like his focus on the politics of defense spending and on Eisenhower's concerns about defense versus social spending. ...more

Four essays by Diane Ackerman on bats, alligators, penguins and whales. I like her eye for detail and striking descriptions of small things, like theFour essays by Diane Ackerman on bats, alligators, penguins and whales. I like her eye for detail and striking descriptions of small things, like the way those bulging alligator eyes retract when the beast submerges or a person gently presses on them. ...more

I had been looking for something to help me better understand the health care debate and how we got to where we are now. This book, which my book clubI had been looking for something to help me better understand the health care debate and how we got to where we are now. This book, which my book club chose to read, did it for me. ...more